Database Info

Theming files?

Sorry about the first post. I was wondering where the png files are located in the rom so I can start theming
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

If this has been addressed sorry. I searched but didn't find it. If it's been addressed please point me in the right direction. Thanks
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

abadasstanker69 said:
If this has been addressed sorry. I searched but didn't find it. If it's been addressed please point me in the right direction. Thanks
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ull find all the PNG in the individual apps in the system/app, system/framework, and data/app.

Papa Smurf151 said:
Ull find all the PNG in the individual apps in the system/app, system/framework, and data/app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks bro! All I see is apk files though. Where are the images?? Also, is there anything specific I have to do in order to export/import the files in Photoshop? I read something somewhere about a .9 PNG or something like that....what does this mean? BTW great work on your theme! It looks awesome! I love it!

Ok I'm a douche bad. lol I renamed the apk to .zip and extracted with winrar. Now I'm in to where I want to be! I'm looking for the little android guy when you make a phone call but, I can't seem to find him in the HTCdialer.apk. Am I looking in the wrong place? Thanks again for the help!

They are in the apk's.
http://developer.android.com/index.html
Good luck.

Ok found the little droid man! This is gonna be awesome!! Any more useful places I should mess around in? This is gonna be FUN!!!!!!!

Ok so I have edited some files and rezipped them. Now do I flash the updated files through recovery or do I have to rename it to .apk and stick it in the rom and re-flash?

abadasstanker69 said:
Ok so I have edited some files and rezipped them. Now do I flash the updated files through recovery or do I have to rename it to .apk and stick it in the rom and re-flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may be wrong but I have done the same thing, all I did when I was finished was push them via adb to their respective places and then reboot and it worked fine for me. Nandroid before you push so if it boot loops you can recover. Then the easiest thing at that point would be to save your work in the ROM you modded, push to sd root, wipe and flash it. I am creating a themed version of Darchoid 2.7 but taking my sweet time as I dont have a lot of it to begin with.

For my HTC Keyboard modifications, I just dropped my new images into the APK that was open in 7zip and pushed it to the /system/app/ dir and launched the keyboard, and BAM, my new keyboard.

abadasstanker69 said:
Ok so I have edited some files and rezipped them. Now do I flash the updated files through recovery or do I have to rename it to .apk and stick it in the rom and re-flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to sign it too. If you want to flash it. If you wanna just push it through adb then then put your edited .apk in AndroidSDK\tools and push it.
Go to command prompt:
Code:
cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools
adb remount
adb push xxxxx.apk /system/app/
exit
C:\android-sdk-windows\tools is assuming thats where your sdk\tools folder is
xxxxx.apk is the name of the .apk
/system/app/ is assuming that's where you got the .apk from

Thanks for all the help guys. I appreciate it but, I was attempting to make an update.zip so people could then flash them once I complete them. I like to make things idiot proof
So I did some looking and found an autosigner. Problem is, now it wants boot scripts? WTF? I know I could push them through adb and simply tell others to do the same. I was just wondering if there was an easy way of doing this? I'm currently using avabox. Thanks again guys!!

abadasstanker69 said:
Thanks for all the help guys. I appreciate it but, I was attempting to make an update.zip so people could then flash them once I complete them. I like to make things idiot proof
So I did some looking and found an autosigner. Problem is, now it wants boot scripts? WTF? I know I could push them through adb and simply tell others to do the same. I was just wondering if there was an easy way of doing this? I'm currently using avabox. Thanks again guys!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just use a mod or update.zip any will do and add ur files and delete the originals in the zip. Keep the meta file and such. Then u can autosign with avabox. It gets tricky with scripts when making a rom. The update.zip script is very basic

Check This Out
You can just take one from a working zip if you want
Otherwise you will be making a file (i use notepad++) called "update-script" *notice-there is no file extension like .txt or anything*
In general they ususally just have:
Code:
show_progress 0.1 0
copy_dir PACKAGE:system SYSTEM:
show_progress 0.1 10
(but may be different depending on where you want the zip's contents to be put in)
Which will be placed into a folder directory META-INF/com/google/android/update-script
You can also add things such as:
Code:
delete SYSTEM:app/contacts.apk
*or whatever you want deleted*
After you make the update-script, just sign it and flash
See my attachment for a template

[/QUOTE]You can also add things such as:
Code:
delete SYSTEM:app/contacts.apk
*or whatever you want deleted*
After you make the update-script, just sign it and flash
See my attachment for a template[/QUOTE]
What would be the purpose in doing that? Would it actually delete people's contacts if they flashed my theme? That's kinda cool but, I'm not trying to be a **** like that! lol
Also, are you guys referring to an update.zip that's all ready out as in a theme file? Or as in a rom? I understand I can use the work that's all ready there and I actually tried that. I zipped the file back up.Then signed with avabox. Renamed it to .apk. Stuck it back in the rom. Attempted to flash and got the boot script error

abadasstanker69 said:
What would be the purpose in doing that? Would it actually delete people's contacts if they flashed my theme? That's kinda cool but, I'm not trying to be a **** like that! lol
Also, are you guys referring to an update.zip that's all ready out as in a theme file? Or as in a rom? I understand I can use the work that's all ready there and I actually tried that. I zipped the file back up.Then signed with avabox. Renamed it to .apk. Stuck it back in the rom. Attempted to flash and got the boot script error
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha i just used contacts.apk as an example, it could be anything you wanted really. But its generally only used for when making an update.zip for boot screens.
And yes, you could take an already existing zip... but i was a little confused as to what you were doing sorry.
Correct me if I'm misunderstanding you again lol, but you're editing images within .apks and want to make a flashable-update.zip once you finish?
Easiest way, as stated before would be to use 7-zip.
Open the .apk Directly with 7-zip (no renaming the .apk to .zip or anything) and drag the replacement images into the .apk - overwriting the older images
Test it by pushing the apk to your phone, if it works without any problems great
If it doesn't then use something like Apk Manager to extract the apk/edit the files/and zip them back up < generally what I do
Put the .apk into the apps folder in my "template update.zip" file
Delete the framework folder and readme.txt file
Sign the .zip
Flash

kyouko said:
haha i just used contacts.apk as an example, it could be anything you wanted really. But its generally only used for when making an update.zip for boot screens.
And yes, you could take an already existing zip... but i was a little confused as to what you were doing sorry.
Correct me if I'm misunderstanding you again lol, but you're editing images within .apks and want to make a flashable-update.zip once you finish?
Easiest way, as stated before would be to use 7-zip.
Open the .apk Directly with 7-zip (no renaming the .apk to .zip or anything) and drag the replacement images into the .apk - overwriting the older images
Test it by pushing the apk to your phone, if it works without any problems great
If it doesn't then use something like Apk Manager to extract the apk/edit the files/and zip them back up < generally what I do
Put the .apk into the apps folder in my "template update.zip" file
Delete the framework folder and readme.txt file
Sign the .zip
Flash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL I really appreciate the help! You guys kick ass!!!! BUT I tried this method MINUS the renaming part and it didn't work. Sooooo....I'm assuming the renaming caused the issue.
Also, I was using winrar. I read somewhere that 7zip should be used instead of winrar but I just don't think this should matter considering the compression method is no different. Am I wrong? Also, will my theme have to vary from rom to rom? If I create this theme for people will I have to specify what rom I'm on?
Thanks again SOOOOOOOOOO much for the help guys...I know working with noobs can be a headache. I did it in the WinMo world for YEARS till I came to the "Dark Side"

abadasstanker69 said:
LOL I really appreciate the help! You guys kick ass!!!! BUT I tried this method MINUS the renaming part and it didn't work. Sooooo....I'm assuming the renaming caused the issue.
Also, I was using winrar. I read somewhere that 7zip should be used instead of winrar but I just don't think this should matter considering the compression method is no different. Am I wrong? Also, will my theme have to vary from rom to rom? If I create this theme for people will I have to specify what rom I'm on?
Thanks again SOOOOOOOOOO much for the help guys...I know working with noobs can be a headache. I did it in the WinMo world for YEARS till I came to the "Dark Side"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes 7zip works better for theming and roming. I tried winrar and it was a pain in the ass.
Yes u will have to specify which roms it will work on. Files on darchdroid r different than our 2.1 roms and so forth. So they wont work right.
Download avabox and use the signing tool in there to sign ur zips.
Make sure in ur zip if ur editing an app it's in the right place...ie system/app or system/framework or data/app. Then make sure ur Meta file is in there. After that sign it and then u can change the name and flash it

Papa Smurf151 said:
Yes 7zip works better for theming and roming. I tried winrar and it was a pain in the ass.
Yes u will have to specify which roms it will work on. Files on darchdroid r different than our 2.1 roms and so forth. So they wont work right.
Download avabox and use the signing tool in there to sign ur zips.
Make sure in ur zip if ur editing an app it's in the right place...ie system/app or system/framework or data/app. Then make sure ur Meta file is in there. After that sign it and then u can change the name and flash it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm such a freaking noob....what's the meta file for? This seems like alot to do for a theme :/

abadasstanker69 said:
I'm such a freaking noob....what's the meta file for? This seems like alot to do for a theme :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Meta file is for the update script. It has other uses but for ur purpose its for the update script which is the instructions the recovery uses to flash the theme. Like I stated before just use an existing one from a different theme or mod. Creating ur own is possible but not needed. Hit me up on gtalk if u want to ask me questions.
[email protected]
I don't mind teaching if anyone wants to learn

[Q] I want to make a theme...

But I don't exactly know how to get there.
I'm runing Wolfbreak's CM ROM V055, afraid to go to V06 because it might break my kernel install(still getting info on just what to do)
What I'm wanting is:
The status/pulldown bars(all icons except Wifi, and I want to keep Cyanogen 6's default slidey bar[the thing that ends up at the bottom]), and the animations from the theme used in SEMPITERNAL's Eternity 2 Build 0003a ROM. That will have to be ported to FroYo, I'm afraid(unless my theory at the bottom of this post will work).
I want the menu from LUCID-X10 by SicNside, with the black BG and white elements, but the png forthat i guess I'll have to negative a white hdpi one.
That's about it, the rest i want from arc theme which is default on my current ROM, including tickboxes, those arrows inside circles, the menu icons, etc.
My theory to sort of make this is to get the two involved APK's(default in CM and default in Eternity) onto my computer, and make them ZIP's. Then i can extract the drawable-hdpi folders from each and paste what I want from Eternity into Arc. Then I can replace the drawable-hdpi folder in the Arc framework file, and zip it at store.
That's where I stop knowing what I'm doing. Searching has not found me a guide on just how to make a framework-res.apk, nor even really making a theme altogether. All i can find is about xml files, resources, never anything about actually making the apk correctly.
Help, please?

I am stuck at the same point as you, I have no idea where to go from here :S

Anyone? I'm sure the two of us aren't the only ones...

Here's a zip of what I want. All I did was:
Took the framework-res.apk from the ETERNITY Rom and from the CM ROM, and pasted the png's i wanted from Eternity into drawable-hdpi-v4 in CM framework. Now, can someone make this work, please?

Its quite easy.
Just select the images you want to change.
Then open the framework-res.apk of your ROM with winrar or 7zip your choice.
Without extracting the files drag and drop the files to the winrar window in the right place. If you want to change images in drawable-hdpi migrate to res/drawable-hdpi and drag and drop images there.
Now close the archive and type this:
Code:
adb push <path to modified framework> /sdcard/framework-res.apk
adb shell mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock2 /system
adb shell dd if=/sdcard/framework-res.apk of=/system/framework/framework-res.apk
Make sure you take a backup with xrecovery before doing this. If you do something wrong you may end up in a bootloop. In that case just restore from backup and try again!

realunited123 said:
Its quite easy.
Just select the images you want to change.
Then open the framework-res.apk of your ROM with winrar or 7zip your choice.
Without extracting the files drag and drop the files to the winrar window in the right place. If you want to change images in drawable-hdpi migrate to res/drawable-hdpi and drag and drop images there.
Now close the archive and type this:
Code:
adb push <path to modified framework> /sdcard/framework-res.apk
adb shell mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock2 /system
adb shell dd if=/sdcard/framework-res.apk of=/system/framework/framework-res.apk
Make sure you take a backup with xrecovery before doing this. If you do something wrong you may end up in a bootloop. In that case just restore from backup and try again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Grr, sorry but right now all my failure is just making that less clear. Type that where? Drag the files to the winrar/7zip window? Isn't that where i dont want them?
Ive followed all the different sets of instructions including yours on this forum as closely as i can make sense of them and always end up with a stream of FC's and reboot loops.
EDIT: does it only work on the stock kernel? I'm running Trip's kernel. I just pulled the framework apk then pushed that same apk back and it's still doing it.
EDIT 2: ok no stock kernel and its still doing it WHY THE HELL IS IT DOING THIS?!?!? I FLASHED THE SAME DAMN STOCK FRAMEWORK!

ok if i got the modded framework apk to my sdcard and used root explorer to paste it in, should that work? This laptop might be what's causing it

I have posted few tips here n there when ever people ask about it.
Check this for overall requirements
For your requirement, skip the optimization part out and just do image swap.
Like realunited123 said, dont extract, just open from 7zip, I use Win RAR and drag and drop the new image to the correct folder.
You need to remember few things here, check images name matches against old to new. Other important thing is resolution. you might get in to trouble if you take mpdi and put it to hdpi.
after updating the framwork I made a small template for you guys to play with.
Download attaches zip file open and go to
Framewrok-SJ.zip\system\framework folder and drag and drop the modified framework-res.apk
Dont try to install the attached file. its only a template for you guys to start working on....
After drag and drop you will see zip file size increased.
Simply copy to SD card and install via Xrecovery
You can try any framework to install like this without adb stuff
Remember to make a backup... because you will definitely screwup... we all have...... LOL
Realorasz said:
ok if i got the modded framework apk to my sdcard and used root explorer to paste it in, should that work? This laptop might be what's causing it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well my friend if you have already did this. it will be your first screwup
Dont use root explorer or titanium for this work. Read this post I mention yesterday.......

Shiwantha said:
I have posted few tips here n there when ever people ask about it.
Check this for overall requirements
For your requirement, skip the optimization part out and just do image swap.
Like realunited123 said, dont extract, just open from 7zip, I use Win RAR and drag and drop the new image to the correct folder.
You need to remember few things here, check images name matches against old to new. Other impotent thing is resolution. you might get in to trouble if you take mpdi and put it to hdpi.
after updating the framwork I made a small template for you guys to play with.
Download attaches zip file open and go to
Framewrok-SJ.zip\system\framework folder and drag and drop the modified framework-res.apk
Dont try to install the attached file. its only a template for you guys to start working on....
After drag and drop you will see zip file size increased.
Simply copy to SD card and install via Xrecovery
You can try any framework to install like this without adb stuff
Remember to make a backup... because you will definitely screwup... we all have...... LOL
Well my friend if you have already did this. it will be your first screwup
Dont use root explorer or titanium for this work. Read this post I mention yesterday.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i did try swapping mine with the framework apk in the froshed zip. I'll try it with yours though.

Shiwantha said:
I have posted few tips here n there when ever people ask about it.
Check this for overall requirements
For your requirement, skip the optimization part out and just do image swap.
Like realunited123 said, dont extract, just open from 7zip, I use Win RAR and drag and drop the new image to the correct folder.
You need to remember few things here, check images name matches against old to new. Other impotent thing is resolution. you might get in to trouble if you take mpdi and put it to hdpi.
after updating the framwork I made a small template for you guys to play with.
Download attaches zip file open and go to
Framewrok-SJ.zip\system\framework folder and drag and drop the modified framework-res.apk
Dont try to install the attached file. its only a template for you guys to start working on....
After drag and drop you will see zip file size increased.
Simply copy to SD card and install via Xrecovery
You can try any framework to install like this without adb stuff
Remember to make a backup... because you will definitely screwup... we all have...... LOL
Well my friend if you have already did this. it will be your first screwup
Dont use root explorer or titanium for this work. Read this post I mention yesterday.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it just me is are you a savior!! Thanks, it's working now!!!!
Hey, by the way, can you teach me how i can make an xrec zip of a dialer mod I made? I want to post it on the CM 6 thread so people can like actualy install it but the only way i currently have for that is adb(which works on apps, but not themes...)
And one more thing, Is any sort of file transfer possible with ADB, or will i have to stick with WiFi File Explorer?

Realorasz said:
Is it just me is are you a savior!! Thanks, it's working now!!!!
Hey, by the way, can you teach me how i can make an xrec zip of a dialer mod I made? I want to post it on the CM 6 thread so people can like actualy install it but the only way i currently have for that is adb(which works on apps, but not themes...)
And one more thing, Is any sort of file transfer possible with ADB, or will i have to stick with WiFi File Explorer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats good news.. one less problem to deal with....
create a folder call app on your pc and drag it to system folder in the zip file.
So you should have framework and app folders inside of it.
then copy Phone.apk & Contacts.apk and try to install via xrecovery.
there is a chance you might not be able to install as my initial signing of Zip file dosent included app folder and so MANIFEST.MF & CERT.SF dont have reference. on the other hand during installation Xrecovery dont check
key signature.
I didnt test this way so try, no harm will come to your phone.
Dont know about wifi explorer much. Im testing with adb generally. only final version im publishing in xrec.

Can you teach me how to make that meta inf stuff?
Sent from my X10a using XDA Premium App

Realorasz said:
Can you teach me how to make that meta inf stuff?
Sent from my X10a using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot, after putting stuff, need to sign by app sign tool or there are alternative called APK manager... search its on XDA i think........

I'm not getting it. The update script ange all that forxrecovery...?
Sent from my X10a using XDA Premium App

Realorasz said:
Can you teach me how to make that meta inf stuff?
Sent from my X10a using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In META-INF create \com\google\android folders for update-script file.
Make update-script a text file containing the following
Code:
show_progress 0.1 0
copy_dir PACKAGE:system SYSTEM:
show_progress 0.1 10
Be sure to add an extra blank line after "show_progress 0.1 10"
Compress META-INF and system folders to a zip, then move to your sd and sign with signAPKtic which is a free app in the market. Use "test keys" to sign. (signAPKtic is easiest to me,or you can use 1 of the methods Shiwantha suggested to sign)
I would also suggest zipaligning your apks before adding them to optimize your phone's performance when accessing them. Search zipalign on XDA and you'll find what you need...
*Edit- Also, X10 Mod Tool is great for pushing/pulling apks via adb without all the typing. I use it a LOT when testing different pieces of themes.

AyDee said:
In META-INF create \com\google\android folders for update-script file.
Make update-script a text file containing the following
Code:
show_progress 0.1 0
copy_dir PACKAGE:system SYSTEM:
show_progress 0.1 10
Be sure to add an extra blank line after "show_progress 0.1 10"
Compress META-INF and system folders to a zip, then move to your sd and sign with signAPKtic which is a free app in the market. Use "test keys" to sign. (signAPKtic is easiest to me,or you can use 1 of the methods Shiwantha suggested to sign)
I would also suggest zipaligning your apks before adding them to optimize your phone's performance when accessing them. Search zipalign on XDA and you'll find what you need...
*Edit- Also, X10 Mod Tool is great for pushing/pulling apks via adb without all the typing. I use it a LOT when testing different pieces of themes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think adb mask controller can do it in the zipalign tab> zipalign /system/app button.
And what format does the text file need to be in?

Signapktic is either telling me the zip doesnt exist or gives me an unzp error... and I supposed to me signing the apk's or the zip?
EDIT: I think I got it. Zip signer instead of signapktic. Let's see what my phone does.
Ok it looks like it worked.

Make sure there are no spaces in the zip's name. Looks like you got it!
Sent from my X10a using XDA App

AyDee said:
Make sure there are no spaces in the zip's name. Looks like you got it!
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does that mean it worked for you?
EDIT: Oh, I'm stupid, I didn't even post it. Can you test it please?

It looks like it's signed already. Are you asking me to test the app or signature?
Sent from my X10a using XDA App

[Request] Transparent Pulldown Notification Bar

Ive been trying to change my pulldown menu to transparent without any luck! ive tried replacing the status_bar_background.png with one i made via Ninjamorph, and no luck.....i tried unzipping the "systemui.apk" and putting the png file in the drawable-hdpi folder and then zipping the systemui and renaming it to apk, and then replacing the current systemui.apk with the one i did using "RootExplorer", rebooted the phone, fixed permissions,rebooted again and still no change.....im using Eaglesblood 2.3.5 Rom! Please help!

Simer03 said:
Ive been trying to change my pulldown menu to transparent without any luck! ive tried replacing the status_bar_background.png with one i made via Ninjamorph, and no luck.....i tried unzipping the "systemui.apk" and putting the png file in the drawable-hdpi folder and then zipping the systemui and renaming it to apk, and then replacing the current systemui.apk with the one i did using "RootExplorer", rebooted the phone, fixed permissions,rebooted again and still no change.....im using Eaglesblood 2.3.5 Rom! Please help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use the UOT Kicthen. Much easier method of getting that notification bar modded as u lease.

zimphishmonger said:
Use the UOT Kicthen. Much easier method of getting that notification bar modded as u lease.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im a hardcore noob....what is UOT kitchen? oh, and i have a mac!
Edit: Tried the UOT kitchen, did the notification bar the way i wanted, and for some reason, i cant submit it to the kitchen because the button "submit to kitchen" is not able to be pressed! ugh!
Edit: never mind, got it to work....now uploading!

created the zip, tried to flash it, and it said installation aborted........why is this so damn hard (for me)????

Simer03 said:
created the zip, tried to flash it, and it said installation aborted........why is this so damn hard (for me)????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try copying the update-binary from a working zip to your "kitchen" file. Install should work

zimphishmonger said:
try copying the update-binary from a working zip to your "kitchen" file. Install should work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it didnt work....still aborted.... curse my noobness! :/

If you're on the latest version 1.08 of Eaglesblood for 2.3.5, then just push this SystemUI.apk into /system/app , fix the permissions, and reboot, and it should do the trick.
The reason you were having trouble before is because the stock image is a .9.png...I won't go into the details of that, but a little extra work is needed to make those files work.
This file I've included should work for ya.

mmapcpro said:
If you're on the latest version 1.08 of Eaglesblood for 2.3.5, then just push this SystemUI.apk into /system/app , fix the permissions, and reboot, and it should do the trick.
The reason you were having trouble before is because the stock image is a .9.png...I won't go into the details of that, but a little extra work is needed to make those files work.
This file I've included should work for ya.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still didn't work man....sorry I'm having so much trouble, maybe I'm just unable to do it! Thanks for trying guys and taking the time to try and help :/
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App

Ok, so you're on the latest version (1.08) of Eaglesblood for 2.3.5, correct? If you are not 100% sure, you can check in "About Phone" and check on the build.
Using the SystemUI.apk that I uploaded, what is your procedure for getting it into your phone?
Because that file has a transparent status_bar_background.9.png with correct patch handles drawn...not sure why it won't work. I will admit, that I don't have a 2.3.5 nandroid backed up to test. Anyone else?

I think I found the problem. Your rom's SystemUI/res/layout/status_bar_tracking.xml points to shade_bg.png for the background. I made that image transparent for you, and recompiled the apk. I really hope this works for you. I have to admit, I"m feeling rather dumb right now.

Yes I'm on 1.08 and my exact procedure was I downloaded the file on my phone, I went to root explorer to the xda download folder where it was located, I copied it to system/app and overwrote tthe current systemui.apk that was there, at that time, a constant endless force closes occurred so I had to pull my battery and rebooted that way, as it rebooted, the notification bar was gone, I then went to the systemui and changed permissions to where the first column is all checked and the first of the 2nd ccolumn is checked, I then pulled the battery again (cuz of the apn issue without the hard reset) and when it came back, nothing changed, so I fixed permissions via rom manager, to no avail......its frustrating!
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App

mmapcpro said:
I think I found the problem. Your rom's SystemUI/res/layout/status_bar_tracking.xml points to shade_bg.png for the background. I made that image transparent for you, and recompiled the apk. I really hope this works for you. I have to admit, I"m feeling rather dumb right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
holy crap it worked.....a million times THANKS!!! You effin rock dude! thanks for taking the time to help me! So to my understanding, u just edited the shade_bg file???? that was it??

Yeh, essentially, all I would have needed to do was edit that shade_bg.png file. But I didn't know to look there until I was forced to try to save face after giving you bad advice, lol. Now I know that some roms will point to status_bar_background.png, some will point to shade_bg, and some even simply define a hex color code...just have to decompile the SystemUI.apk, and look in res/layout/status_bar_tracking.xml to see where it's looking....and then edit that file.

mmapcpro said:
Yeh, essentially, all I would have needed to do was edit that shade_bg.png file. But I didn't know to look there until I was forced to try to save face after giving you bad advice, lol. Now I know that some roms will point to status_bar_background.png, some will point to shade_bg, and some even simply define a hex color code...just have to decompile the SystemUI.apk, and look in res/layout/status_bar_tracking.xml to see where it's looking....and then edit that file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so now that i know it works, i was wondering if i wanted to create one, do i make it 200 x 200 like the current shade_bg file is? i kinda want to make one with a black background with semi transparency! I tried editing the shade_bg file u made, with a program called Gimp, but it didnt work

Can you give me your exact method to doing this? I created an image from gimp, i saved it as shade_bg.png, so basically , i extracted the systemui.apk from root explorer, it put the extracted in my sd card, so i plugged in my phone in my mac, and i took that folder from my sd card, now from here, the extracted file is a zip file, so i double clicked it b/c macs can unzip files easily, so in the folder, i placed my shade_bg file into the appropriate folder.....now this is where i think i mess up, what do u do from here? I "compressed" the systemui folder to make it back into a zip, and then placed it into my sd card, i then "renamed" the file thru my phone from a .zip to a .apk, now in root explorer there is usually an icon that shows up next to the name of the files, now when i changed it, a green android icon showed up, but on the file that you had edited for me, there was a "settings" icon, u know, the standard icon for the settings app in android! i put the apk in the system/app and it didnt work, even after permissions set up! hmmm.....i promise, this will probably be my last post!
please keep in mind, i have a mac, and i do have that 7zip u mentioned in the development thread, but its called EZ7Z.....just in case i need it

If you are doing it the way you described, then you need to find a way to zip with no compression. 7 zip does that with the "store" setting...not sure about the mac version.
You don't wanna know where this was sent from.

mmapcpro said:
If you are doing it the way you described, then you need to find a way to zip with no compression. 7 zip does that with the "store" setting...not sure about the mac version.
You don't wanna know where this was sent from.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
man, for some reason i just cant get the "settings icon" to appear after renaming the .zip to .apk from root explorer.......im pretty sure thats way too easy, i must be doing it wrong?
my apk file is not right...i tried signing it with an app from the market, tried searching for a fix, and nothing.....ur my only hope man! lol! :/

Simer03 said:
man, for some reason i just cant get the "settings icon" to appear after renaming the .zip to .apk from root explorer.......im pretty sure thats way too easy, i must be doing it wrong?
my apk file is not right...i tried signing it with an app from the market, tried searching for a fix, and nothing.....ur my only hope man! lol! :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
anyone know how to convert a .zip to .apk correctly?

[TUTORIAL] User-Friendly Custom Lock-Rings for Sense 3.0 (EVO 4G)

After going through many of the different lock ring tutorials, I have noticed that they all have something in common: They are too user intensive and prone to user-error. Sure, once you have it down, it's easy. But it can be daunting to start out.
All I have done here is make it EXTREMELY user friendly.
No more copying and pasting into ZIPs and APKs!!
No more fishing around the Templates tree in M10 Tools!!!
Simply run the BATCH file, get a cup of coffee, and then flash!
Here are the detailed instructions... (also in the Read-Me)
0. Make sure you have installed Microsoft .net 4 framework on your machine.
http://www.microsoft.com/net
1. Unpack User_Friendly_Lock_Screen_Kit_v1.04.zip (Where you put the file does not matter anymore!!!! For example purposes, I will use C:\Lock_Ring_Kit)
2. Copy your image into C:\Lock_Ring_Kit and name it LockRing.png
Image requirements:
a. Must be a PNG file
b. Image must be 271 x 270 pixels (If it is not the right size, it will come out looking funny (270x271 WILL NOT WORK)
c. The image must be rotated 180 degrees and reflected horizontally.
3. Double-click "LockRingCreator.bat" and let it do its thing.
4. Flashable.zip was just created for you. Rename it whatever you wish.
5. Copy it to the root of your SD card, boot into recovery, and flash
The BATCH file cleans up after itself. You don't have to go through and delete any of the old files. If you want to make another one, just change out the PNG and run it again. My desktop is pretty old, and the BATCH takes about 2 minutes to run.
I have only tested this on Synergy, but I assume that it will work on similar ROMs. I also believe that it will work on the Thunderbolt (can someone confirm that?)
All files are included in the ZIP.
User_Friendly_Lock_Ring_Kit_v1.05.zip
Error Reporting
This is a work in progress. If you have an issue, please post it on the thread. Also, please copy and paste the output from the command prompt so we can get to the bottom of it. (Right click on command prompt, Select All, the then press ENTER. It is now ready to paste.)
Acknowledgments:
jmaher1023 - I used his process as a template. All that my BATCH file does is automate his process
Flemmard and DiamondBack2010- I have no idea what M10 Tools does or how much trouble they had to go through to make it, but I do know that it is the heart and soul of this whole operation.
Confirmed ROMS
Gingeritis3d
Synergy RLS 1
InCompatible ROMS
Kinged Shooter RLS 2.3

I'll try this out, thanks alot dude.

One thing you didn't mention is that the images still need to be 271 X 270 or they won't look right. Other than that this works on Gingeritis3d. (And if I want to say I was the one to create the lock ring I might edit the script) lol. Very good work though man. Very useful tool. Have you been able to find where the images are located for the Amazing sense skin? I haven't found those yet and want to use that semi transparent tool bar at the bottom but dont want to use a different launcher

somehow i cant get it to work ive followed every step but when i run the
"LockRingCreator.bat" it just goes into cmd really fast and nothing happens

TDubKong said:
One thing you didn't mention is that the images still need to be 270 X 270 or they won't look right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fixed in OP. I put that in the ReadMe, but forgot it on the thread Thanks for the reminder.
TDubKong said:
Other than that this works on Gingeritis3d.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for letting me know. I'll add a lit of confirmed ROMS that this works for.
TDubKong said:
(And if I want to say I was the one to create the lock ring I might edit the script) lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Navigate to C:\Lock_Ring_KitTemplate\META-INF\com\google\android
There is a file named "updater-script" Rename it updater-script.txt, and open it for editing. Just look for my name and replace it with yours. Make sure you take the .txt off after saving
TDubKong said:
Have you been able to find where the images are located for the Amazing sense skin? I haven't found those yet and want to use that semi transparent tool bar at the bottom but dont want to use a different launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Idea

IDRFT95S14 said:
somehow i cant get it to work ive followed every step but when i run the
"LockRingCreator.bat" it just goes into cmd really fast and nothing happens
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What operating system are you running? Do you have Microsoft .net 4 framework installed on your system?
When it is working properly, after you run the BATCH file you should see a command window running various commands for a little while.

did you
IDRFT95S14 said:
somehow i cant get it to work ive followed every step but when i run the
"LockRingCreator.bat" it just goes into cmd really fast and nothing happens
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you make sure the file was named LockRing and was a png format? Something else to consider is that if you named a png image lockring.png then when it looks for the file it will see lockring.png.png so make sure it is a png format image but only name it LockRing.Hope this helps

gamendorf said:
Fixed in OP. I put that in the ReadMe, but forgot it on the thread Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for letting me know. I'll add a lit of confirmed ROMS that this works for.
Navigate to C:\Lock_Ring_KitTemplate\META-INF\com\google\android
There is a file named "updater-script" Rename it updater-script.txt, and open it for editing. Just look for my name and replace it with yours. Make sure you take the .txt off after saving
No Idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks brudda. I was only kidding about renaming the script. I knew where to find it. I can run a couple other ROMS if you want. I got nothing better to do tonight. Let me know which ones you want to add to your list and i'll do a couple.

just downloaded will test in a minute on mik3d beta1, but in the read me file, no sizes for pic you intend to use (just a heads up).

Forgot to mention I am running Gingeritis 3D Beta VIII. And I do have .net 4 installed. Maybe thats why i didn't have any issues. Also I didn't even read the read me file. oops.

life_420 said:
just downloaded will test in a minute on mik3d beta1, but in the read me file, no sizes for pic you intend to use (just a heads up).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. Oops. Zip file has been updated

life_420 said:
just downloaded will test in a minute on mik3d beta1, but in the read me file, no sizes for pic you intend to use (just a heads up).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love my DropBox. Tried a few other apps like Minus and another but they are just not so user friendly and helpful. Although a couple have more GB.

gamendorf said:
What operating system are you running? Do you have Microsoft .net 4 framework installed on your system?
When it is working properly, after you run the BATCH file you should see a command window running various commands for a little while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
windows 7 i looked it up and it does have the Microsoft .net 4 framework intalled ,im thinking i just didnt name something right ill try what TDubKong suggested VVV and ill get back
TDubKong said:
did you make sure the file was named LockRing and was a png format? Something else to consider is that if you named a png image lockring.png then when it looks for the file it will see lockring.png.png so make sure it is a png format image but only name it LockRing.Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

TDubKong said:
Love my DropBox. Tried a few other apps like Minus and another but they are just not so user friendly and helpful. Although a couple have more GB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dropbox has been the easiest, havent hit a limit yet, except storage space..... which i upgraded to eliminate that problem, all the others i have tried i cant upload anything because they limit file sizes that you can upload, where as dropbox just syncs with your desktop, takes awhile but works.

just tried it to make a flashable zip and it did the same thing as other guy, flashed the cmd prompt super quick, no zip created.....
edit:
wait i just checked windows update and it has 2 updates for net framework 4 lol

nice i was using the copy paste way. i use one like this for the 3d(that was made by triscuit1983.

still didnt work for me, oh well back to m10 editor... thanx anyways

did you put it on your c drive i had that problem on the one for the 3d

I will try again tomorrow, work in the morning
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium

life_420 said:
just tried it to make a flashable zip and it did the same thing as other guy, flashed the cmd prompt super quick, no zip created.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dased14 said:
did you put it on your c drive i had that problem on the one for the 3d
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure that you unzip the files to C:\Lock_Ring_Kit. When I install them somewhere else ("C:\Lock_Ring_Kit______"), I get the same error you do. However, the BATCH file did what it was supposed to do. Since C:\Lock_Ring_Kit did not exist, it created it, and there is a "Working" folder as well as a "Flashable.zip" there. But, since the original files were not in the right place, it is useless.
When the command prompt just flashes, what that means is that M10Tools are not having a chance to run. The only explanation I have for that as of right now is that the files are not in the right location. Also make sure that you named the image LockRing.png.
I'll see about making the batch file spit out an error code, but it might be a few days before I can get around to it. I'll keep yall posted.

How to make a theme?

I'm pretty handy with Photoshop (I do graphic design) and I was wondering how I would go about making a theme. I am on Melvins stock ROM and I don't use a launcher. It was so simple on the iPhone, so is there a method similar to that of the iPhone?

Hey I'm in the same boat as you being design graduate myself. Its pretty easy actually you just need to get to know all the apk files and what goes where. The framework-res.apk, systemUI.apk house the majority of the files overall that you will most likely wanna mod. Then you have app specifics. Anyway here is a little vid to get you started very basic like. Its the dev M&S from the Tmob thread. His themes are super slick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSB8iQvpU9k

That is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much. It's actually fairly easy, and I'm glad I don't have to use winSCP anymore.
Quick question though, what do I download to get the script and all that? And the SDK part?

I downloaded the APK manager and I have no idea how to get the framework into the script. Any ideas?

well you should watch the video! if you don't wanna watch than.
Copy framwork-res.apk from system>framework folder.
Past it in the apk folder where it says "Put here for Modding" and than you can open up the command prompt and go from there!
Hope this helps!\
Make sure to do nandroid because messing with framwork will give you softbrick and you will be F*****!
MAGiK9 said:
I downloaded the APK manager and I have no idea how to get the framework into the script. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

appdroid said:
well you should watch the video! if you don't wanna watch than.
Copy framwork-res.apk from system>framework folder.
Past it in the apk folder where it says "Put here for Modding" and than you can open up the command prompt and go from there!
Hope this helps!\
Make sure to do nandroid because messing with framwork will give you softbrick and you will be F*****!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol I was like the vid shows it too! And also you will need to do a search on how to mod .9 png files. They have code in them so if you mod them in photoshop ( I did this at first) they end up all warped and busted. At first I recommend the "extract" for starters in APK manager. Gives you access to all the png files and such. Once you get more familiar then choose "decompile" so you can edit the xml files (change text color etc). Hope that helps

I will be closely following this thread as I am learning to theme as well, let's help each other!

Does anyone know how to do the videos first part in "apk multi tool"?
Actually nvm I figured it out

I did watch the video. There are some steps he skips, however. Like selecting the framework, he never tells you how to get it in the folder. I figured it out, eventually.. but I still don't know how to get it onto my phone using the SDK that he uses. That is my question.

Ive been at this for about an hour lol. I figured out how to push the file but I couldnt do it from /tools/ so I tried pushing the apk from /platform-tools/ and it worked the only problem is that I edited the battery colors just to test and see if it would work. They were supposed to be red but their still the same color.
Btw to the above post, go to cmd and type "cd c:/" and then wherever your sdk is located. Unless thats not what your talking about then idk =/
Update: It worked...but...bootloops so I had to push the original frameworkres and it booted up and when I re-pushed the one I edited it still gives me a bootloop

I've started building themes. Everything has worked fine so far. I themed my gmail apk blue. And have been working on framework-res.apk and SystemUI.apk and twframework-res.apk. Far from done but I've made changes to all three and pushed them to my phone no problem. Im using pirateghosts stock Rom space_pirate i believe is the Rom name
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

I'm using alien 5.5 and I'm still getting bootloops trying to push my modded framework-res apk.
The cake is a lie.